ANGLING: Neil and Glen in the money as they grab the biggest prize

Trevor Johnson

The post-Brexit pound in your pocket may have plunged...but there are still plenty who will fork out FIFTY QUID to enter the right match!

And no fewer than 80 people queued up to pitch cash into Sunday’s Ringers Two Venues Pairs event, earning a £3,500 prize fund shared among the top eight duos.

Part of the attraction may have been the unusual format: no individual or section prizes – and each pair fishing 40 miles apart on either Boddington or Barston.

When the results were in, two pairs had perfect two-point scores, Neil Russell and Glen Maxwell (Maxwell top weight with 70lb, on Boddington) collecting £800 and shading Maurice Williams and ‘Snowy’ Ashington on weight, with Steve and Phil Ringer third on three points.

Vast numbers of lads on budgets argue endlessly over whether or not club-sweep pools should go above a fiver.

But Boddington-Barston organiser Geoff Ringer said: “It amazes me. £100 a pair entry fee is a lot of money, but create something that tickles their fancies and people queue up to buy in.”

WITH pike and trout fishing now running side by side at Ringstead, Mike Rylark had a good snapper session with four doubles to 16lb. Pike of 21-8 and 19lb fell to deadbaits at Drayton.

Elinor’s trout have stayed on feed with Martin Garner getting an 8-3 rainbow. Pitsford was averaging 2.9 per rod, with many fish falling to bank anglers.

STILL needing rain, the Upper Ouse continues to throw up great catches from hotspot swims.

Pete Laughton won Nene’s Newton Blossomville do with 15-1 of silvers as Brian Beard had 9-15 and Ivor Stokes 9-7. A match at Stony Stratford was won with 22-14 of perch...with 20-12 at the next peg.